Salt Creek
Maps:
USGS 7.5' Map:	Antero Reservoir, Marmot Peak
Statistics:	Difficulty: Number: Miles: Altitude: Obstacles: Time: Easy 1 FR 435 7.50 9,060 to 10,200 ft. NA 1-2 hours
County:	Park
Adopted by:
Managed by:	Pike National Forest, South Park Ranger District	P.O. Box 219, 320 Hwy 285 Fairplay, Colorado 80440	(719) 836-2031
Summary:	Salt Creek 4WD road follows Salt Creek, then the North Fork of Salt Creek to the base of East Buffalo Peak.
Attractions:	Trail accesss, camping
Seasonal Closure:	Agency -
Best Time:	June - Possible snow drifts higher up July - Best August - Best September - Best October - Early snows possible
Trail Heads Accessed:	McQuaid Trail, FT631 - Hiking, Mountain Bike, Equestrian Salt Creek Trail, FT618 - Hiking, Mountain Bike, Equestrian
Camping:	There are quite a few dispersed camp sites along the road.
Base Camp:	This would be a good place to base camp and explore the road in upper Salt Creek and Chubb Park. It also offers access to multiple trails around and into the Buffalow Peaks Wilderness.
Fall Colors:	Poor - Mostly Pine forest.
Navigation:	From Fairplay, CO. head south on US Hwy 285 for 19.5 miles. Turn right onto Salt Creek Road. From Buena Vista head south on US-24 towards Cedar Street and go 2.4 miles. Turn left onto US-24 E/US-285 N and continue to follow US-285 N for 15.5 miles. Turn left onto Salt Creek Road.
History:
Description:
From Hwy 285 the Salt Creek road heads due west toward the foothills. It will turn northwest for a short distance before crossing Salt Creek and then turning back west to follow the creek. The road is an easy two track with enough space to pass other vehicles. Salt Creek road near Hwy 285 photo by: Adam M About a quarter of a mile from the creek crossing you will pass the McQuaid Trail on your right. There will be many dispersed camp sites along this section of road. Salt Creek road along Salt Creek photo by: Adam M About one and a half miles following the creek the road will come to an intersection. The left is the Salt Creek South, FR436, road that continues following Salt Creek and then crosses Salt Creek Pass. The Salt Creek road will turn right and continue to follow the North Fork of Salt Creek. Not far from the intersection you will pass FR435.4C on the left. This is a short spur road to a camp site. The main road will continue northwest in a shallow valley. After another mile you will pass the second spur road, FR435.4B on the left. This is also a short spur road that heads to a couple of dispersed camp sites. The main road will continue along the valley for about a quarter of a mile to a large turn around that is the Salt Creek Trail head.
Data updated - November 14, 2017      4WD Road driven - September 3, 2017      Copyright 4X4Explore.com - 2000-2017